Emergency Dentist – Brookfield, WI

The Attention You Need
Right Away

Man in pain before emergency dentistry

(If you or a loved one are currently in the middle of a dental emergency, please call us as quickly as you can, so we can start helping you right away.)

Dental emergencies are never, ever expected. It’s really hard to anticipate when a knocked-out tooth or broken crown will happen, but when it does, you need to seek out dental care as soon as you can to keep the problem from getting worse.

At Elmbrook Family Dental, our trusted dentistry team members and emergency dentist in Brookfield, WI are ready to be there for people should the unexpected ever happen to their smile. Our dental team has dealt with countless dental emergencies over the years, and we always try to see emergency dentistry patients the same day that they call in. If you’re in pain, we won’t keep you waiting. We’ll get you in as soon as possible, so we can fix your problem right away.

Why Choose Elmbrook Family Dental for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Emergency Dental Appointments
  • Able to Handle Most Emergencies In-House
  • Skilled & Experienced Dental Team

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Woman holding cheek in pain before emergency dentistry treatment
  • Same-Day Appointment: If you think you are dealing with a dental emergency, give us a call, and we’ll schedule you for an appointment as soon as possible, preferably the same day. We’ll also give you first-aid tips over the phone so you can stay comfortable until you see us.
  • Emergency Exam: Once you arrive, our team will give you an exam and take some X-rays so we can figure out exactly what the problem is. We can also provide medication or anesthetic if there is severe pain.
  • Go Over Our Findings: The dentist will review the X-rays and discuss their observations with you. They’ll present your treatment options, which will include the associated costs and time each procedure will take. This way, you have all the information you need to decide what is right for you.
  • Provide Treatment: Our team will act quickly to handle your problem and fix any damage that we can. Most of the time, we can get a patient out of pain in a single appointment, but if more extensive repairs are needed, we may need someone to come back for a follow-up visit.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency can come in many forms, whether it’s due to poor brushing and flossing habits or an unexpected accident. Below, you’ll find a list of the most common emergencies we see along with tips on how to handle them.

Tips For Dental Emergencies

Woman wincing and holding cheek before emergency dentistry

These following tips will help you handle an emergency before you can make it to our dental office:

  • Try to find any missing/broken portions of teeth/dental work.
  • Rinse them off with warm (not hot) water.
  • Have the victim gently rinse their mouth with water as well.
  • Place a missing/broken tooth back into the mouth if possible. If not, put it in a container of milk or saltwater. A tooth must stay wet until we can see you to keep it viable for reattachment!
  • Use a cold compress in 10-minute intervals to help with pain and swelling.
  • Use a clean rag or gauze to stop any bleeding.
  • OTC medication can help with pain as well, but avoid aspirin, as this could actually make bleeding worse.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies

Dental office reception desk

No matter what type of emergency you are dealing with, seeking out care sooner rather than later is always wise. Waiting will only allow the problem (and pain) to become worse, which means it will require more extensive and expensive care to fix. The cost of treatment will depend on the type and severity of the injury, but by acting fast, you can drastically reduce what you pay in the end. Plus, we can help you use your insurance if applicable.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Person brushing teeth to prevent dental emergencies

As with all dental issues, prevention is always the best approach, particularly when it comes to emergencies. Here are a few ways you can help yourself avoid needing to make an unexpected trip to the dentist:

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Dentist using tools to examine patient's teeth

Visiting us every six months for a checkup and cleaning is important because it ensures that we can catch oral health problems well before they develop to the point where they require same-day care. We also recommend coming in between visits if you notice any abnormal symptoms, like bleeding gums or pain when biting down. Remember, your pain receptors are designed to communicate that something is wrong, so you shouldn’t ignore them!

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Closeup of patient smiling while flossing her teeth

In order to keep your teeth and gums healthy, you need to implement a solid oral hygiene routine. We recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste to brush your teeth each morning and evening (or after every meal, if possible). Furthermore, you should gently floss between each tooth and behind your molars before rinsing with mouthwash for 30-60 seconds. Together, these habits will help prevent built-up plaque and tartar.

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

Smiling woman making healthy meal in white kitchen

There are two main things you need to keep in mind when it comes to your diet: not consuming added sugar in excess and filling your plate with lots of nutrient-dense foods. This will help prevent cavities from developing while also giving your body the vitamins and minerals it needs to keep your teeth healthy, your jawbone strong, and your gums infection-free.

Wear a Mouthguard

Dentist holding clear mouthguard with blue gloves

Whether you participate in a contact sport, like wrestling, or a non-contact one, like surfing, you need to wear a mouthguard – no exceptions. If you don’t, then there’s a good chance that you will chip, crack, or fracture a tooth. If you don’t currently have a mouthguard, or you’ve been using a store-bought one, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us so we can have one made for you. We can also have one made if you chronically grind or clench your teeth!

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Man using bottle cap opener to remove bottle cap in kitchen

If you’re having trouble opening a package with your hands, you might be tempted to use your teeth. Don’t! Using your teeth as tools – whether it’s to remove a clothing tag or remove a bottle cap – is one of the easiest ways to wind up with a serious dental injury that warrants a same-day visit to our office. So, always use the right tool (like scissors) instead of your teeth.

Root Canal Therapy

Animated inside of tooth used to explain root canal treatment

When the most interior part of a tooth becomes infected or damaged, this can cause the mother of all toothaches—the kind that makes it hard to focus on just about anything else. Fortunately, our team can relieve this kind of pain and save the tooth using root canal therapy. This procedure can be completed in just one visit to our dental office (in most cases), and thanks to modern dental techniques, this often-feared treatment is now no more painful than getting a small filling.

Learn More About Root Canals

Tooth Extractions

Person holding extracted tooth

While we do our best to help our patients keep all of their natural teeth for as long as possible, sometimes, the best thing for us to do is simply remove one. This is usually the case if:

  • A tooth is too damaged to be restored
  • Gum disease has weakened the bone supporting a tooth
  • A baby tooth refuses to fall out naturally
  • Room needs to be created for a denture/orthodontic treatment

Should you ever need an extraction, we’ll use local anesthesia and a light touch to make sure you’re comfortable from start to finish.

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Dental Emergency Frequently Asked Questions

Man considering emergency dentistry frequently asked questions

At Elmbrook Family Dental, one of our goals is to provide our patients with the tools they need to effectively respond to dental emergencies. We know there’s no way to completely prevent these unfortunate situations, but you can at least be prepared. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of some of our most frequently asked questions about dental emergencies. Continue reading to get the vital information you need.

What qualifies as a dental emergency?

Identifying a dental emergency isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Here are some telltale signs to be on the lookout for:

  • Intense pain
  • Bleeding
  • Loose or broken tooth
  • Knocked-out tooth
  • Swelling
  • Visible abscess
  • Loose crown or filling

Do I need to head to the hospital?

In most cases, we can treat a dental emergency at our Brookfield dental office. However, there are some situations that require you to immediately head to the emergency room.

One such occasion is when you’ve had oral bleeding that has lasted for more than 10 minutes. You should also visit the hospital if you suspect you have a broken jaw. Both matters are time-sensitive, so you should act without any hesitation.

Will I need a root canal?

The typical reason for a root canal is there is prolonged tooth decay that has reached the sensitive inner area of a tooth where the canals and nerve endings are located. At this point, a simple filling won’t suffice. However, root canal therapy, if done in time, can still salvage the tooth and restore your oral health.

Should I seek immediate care for a dental emergency?

If you have a dental emergency, it will only get worse if ignored. Therefore, it’s best to have it treated as soon as possible. This will prevent any unnecessary suffering, and in some cases, it can help you avoid more complex forms of care.

Will my insurance cover dental emergency care?

Dental insurance plans can vary greatly. Therefore, you’ll need to review the details of yours to determine exactly what dental emergencies are covered, as in some cases it can change based on the specific form of treatment you need. You don’t have to shoulder the burden by yourself, though, as our friendly staff members will file your insurance claims so you can get the maximum benefits and ease the strain on your wallet.

If you have any other dental emergency FAQs, or you or a loved one is dealing with any form of dental trauma, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Toothaches

Is a toothache a dental emergency? A toothache can have many causes, ranging from a cavity to thinned enamel to something simply being stuck between the teeth. You should give us a call if a tooth hurts for more than a day, the pain seems to be getting worse, or the pain is so bad that you can’t concentrate on anything else.

How you should handle a toothache: Gently rinse and floss around the tooth to remove any debris that might be stuck. If this doesn’t solve the problem, go ahead and take an over-the-counter pain medication.

How we treat toothaches: The first thing we’ll do is examine the tooth to determine exactly what is wrong with it. Based on what we find, we will recommend an appropriate treatment, whether this involves repairing the tooth, or in extreme cases, removing it.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings Learn More About Dental Crowns Learn More About Tooth Extractions Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? While a chipped tooth often isn’t an urgent emergency, it’s still wise to come see us right away, as the tooth is vulnerable and more likely to completely break without intervention.

How should you handle a chipped tooth? If you can, try to gather as many pieces of the tooth that you can and put them in a safe container. If the leftover tooth is causing irritation, cover it with some sugarless gum or dental wax.

How we treat chipped teeth: Typically, we place a veneer over a chipped tooth, which serves to restore both its structure and appearance at the same time. Our veneers are custom-made using the highest quality dental porcelain, so they look natural and are guaranteed to last.

Learn More About Veneers Learn More About Cosmetic Bonding

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Some cracks are so small that they aren’t even visible—you may just notice some sensitivity that appears out of nowhere. However, for large cracks, you should definitely schedule an appointment right away.

How should you handle a cracked tooth? If you suspect that one of your teeth is cracked, rinse your mouth out with warm water, and then place a cold compress on the face to reduce pain and swelling.

How we treat cracked teeth: The appropriate treatment will depend on how big and deep the crack in the enamel is. Small cracks can usually be fixed with tooth-colored fillings, but in some cases, a crack can be so severe that the only solution is to remove and replace the tooth.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings Learn More About Tooth Extractions Learn More About Restorative Dentistry

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? If your dental sensitivity is the result of an untreated oral health issue, like gum disease, then the answer is “yes.” We recommend keeping an eye out for other abnormal symptoms, including pain when biting down or a pimple-like bump on your gums. If these or any other warning signs of decay or an infection arise, then get in touch with our Brookfield dental team right away.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth The best thing you can do is try to avoid exacerbating the sensitivity. Start by not drinking hot beverages, not eating anything cold, and taking an OTC pain reliever as directed.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth With X-rays and an oral exam, we will be able to determine what’s causing your dental sensitivity. Oftentimes, it’s an untreated cavity. In that case, we can intervene with a tooth-colored filling, dental crown, or root canal therapy. However, it’s also possible that it’s the result of an advanced stage of gum disease. In that case, periodontal therapy is necessary.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS BUTTON

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Knocked-Out Tooth

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes – and you need to act fast. The sooner you come to our Brookfield dental office for treatment, the higher the chances we have of being able to save your natural tooth. So, call us ASAP to schedule an appointment.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth As we mentioned, calling us is a top priority. You also need to locate the tooth, pick it up by the crown, and place it in a container of milk or saliva to preserve the root. If milk isn’t available, you can also place the tooth back in its socket. However, you should only do so if you don’t have to force it back into position.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth If you visit our office within the hour and your tooth is in good condition, then there’s a good chance that we can save it. However, if you weren’t able to find your tooth or it’s severely damaged, then we will need to restore the look and function of your smile with a dental bridge or implant instead.

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Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? Even if your lost filling or crown hasn’t resulted in any discomfort, you should schedule a same-day appointment with our Brookfield emergency dentist. That way, they can repair or replace your restoration before your tooth sustains any damage.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown If you can, find your restoration and place it in a small container. Until your appointment, use clean, lukewarm water to rinse your mouth. This will help prevent an infection by rinsing away bacteria from the area. Of course, if you are in pain, then you can take an OTC pain reliever as directed.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns In the case of a lost dental filling, we typically always replace it with a new one. However, with dental crowns, we can either recement your old one back in place or provide you with a new one.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS BUTTON

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL CROWNS BUTTON

Broken Dentures  

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? Yes! Since wearing broken dentures is not advised, you need to schedule an appointment right away to have yours repaired or replaced.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture As we mentioned, you shouldn’t wear your broken denture. Instead, use your backup pair (if you have one) and store the pieces of your restoration in a small, clean container in the meantime.

How We Treat Broken Dentures When it comes to traditional dentures, we have the option to repair or replace them. There is a third option too: upgrading your traditional dentures with implant-retained ones!

Loose Permanent Tooth  

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? Since a loose tooth can easily become infected, make it difficult to eat, and fall out entirely, it absolutely warrants a same-day appointment with our Brookfield emergency dentist!

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth To prevent bacteria from collecting around your tooth, don’t chew on that side of your mouth and rinse periodically with clean, lukewarm water.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth How we intervene will depend largely on the severity of the damage. In some cases, we can use a dental splint to save your tooth. In others, we need to carefully remove the tooth before placing a dental bridge or implant.

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue  

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency? It’s common for soft tissue injuries to produce a lot of blood, inciting panic. However, cuts to your gums, lips, and tongue can often be handled at home.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue First, go to the sink and rinse your mouth with clean, room-temperature water so you can see where the wound is. Then, dampen a clean washcloth and use it to apply pressure. Once the bleeding stops, use a towel-wrapped icepack or cold compress to reduce the swelling.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue If the cut has been bleeding for more than 10 minutes, then you should seek medical attention at the ER.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? Has it lasted for more than 24 hours? Are you experiencing other abnormal symptoms, like pain when biting down? Then the answer is “yes!”

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain First try taking an OTC pain reliever, placing a cold compress against the outside of your cheek, and avoiding crunchy foods. If the discomfort persists, then call us ASAP to schedule an appointment.

How We Treat Jaw Pain Oftentimes, jaw pain is the result of TMJ dysfunction, chronic teeth grinding, or impacted wisdom teeth. When you arrive for your appointment, we will take X-rays and conduct an oral exam to determine the cause and, in turn, the best solution.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TMJ TREATMENT

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

At first, this may not seem like an issue at all. However, it is important to remember that having something lodged between your teeth can lead to several issues, including serious gum inflammation. That’s why we recommend using warm saltwater to rinse your mouth and flossing; this should dislodge the debris. If your attempts are unsuccessful, then you can call our Brookfield dental team. We can provide additional recommendations or schedule an appointment for you to come in.